Thousands Flee as RSF Advances East — Famine Declared in el-Fasher and Kadugli; ICC Opens War‑crimes Probe

Thousands displaced as RSF pushes east from Darfur

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (known as Hemedti), has forced thousands more Sudanese to flee as it prepares a fresh offensive after reported atrocities during its assault on el-Fasher in western Darfur. United Nations and humanitarian agencies warn the campaign is deepening an already catastrophic crisis.

Mass displacement

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that more than 1,200 people were displaced from Bara and Um Rawaba in North Kordofan on a single day, and that an additional 36,825 people were displaced from several localities in North Kordofan over the previous week. UN teams estimated another 8,631 people fled el-Fasher over one weekend, bringing the total displaced from that area to more than 70,000 since the RSF captured the city on Oct. 26.

Risk of wider conflict around el-Obeid

El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, lies east of Darfur and remains under control of the Sudanese armed forces. Both the army and RSF have been building up forces around the city. In footage released by the RSF, fighters claim to be “amassing a large force” and said “all our forces have converged” near Bara, about 50 km northeast of el-Obeid.

Allegations of atrocities and civilian suffering

UN and aid agencies say they have verified numerous survivor accounts alleging mass executions, torture, rape and other sexual violence, and detentions for ransom by RSF fighters. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, reported accounts of “serious violations,” including summary executions of Red Crescent volunteers after RSF advances around Bara.

“The streets were full of dead bodies,” said one displaced survivor, who fled el-Fasher with his children after losing his wife to an RSF drone strike.

Famine and food insecurity

The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has detected famine in el-Fasher and Kadugli (South Kordofan). The IPC estimated that as of September some 375,000 people in Darfur and Kordofan were already living in famine conditions, and a further 6.3 million people across Sudan face extreme hunger and are at risk of sliding into famine without a ceasefire and safe humanitarian access.

Humanitarian access and displacement hubs

Many internally displaced people have sought refuge in towns such as al-Dabbah in Northern State. Aid workers report that some families — already displaced multiple times — are preparing to move again because they fear the fighting could spread. Video footage circulating online has shown bodies on roads around el-Fasher, and thousands remain trapped inside the besieged city.

ICC investigation

Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague announced they have opened an active investigation into alleged war crimes by the RSF, saying they are taking immediate steps to preserve evidence related to events in el-Fasher. The court said reported atrocities may form part of a broader pattern of violence in Darfur and “may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.” Investigators listed possible crimes under scrutiny including ethnically targeted attacks, sexual violence used as a weapon, abductions, indiscriminate attacks on civilians, and strikes on medical facilities.

Outlook

Humanitarian agencies caution that without a ceasefire and safe, sustained humanitarian access, more Sudanese will die from starvation and malnutrition. The situation remains highly fluid, and further displacement and civilian harm are expected if fighting intensifies around el-Obeid and other population centers.